The Ancient Japanese style of dress was very elaborate with influence of the Chinese and Portuguese. Each social status wore all different types of sashes and kimonos. Court Nobles who were one of the top of the social structure many layers of skirts, tops, and silk kimonos with nature prints. Kimonos were widely popular in the 18th century. This was a part of Miyabi- The code for courtly manners.
Miyabi
In this code it states that at all times, court members must appear elegant and beautiful. Court members must also go barefoot, even in the winter because it was considered attractive to have bare feet. They were not permitted to use tabi- which are socks. Nail polish was often used to make the feet more attractive. For cosmetics, court nobles powdered their faces, and colored their teeth black. Lipstick was applied in a way that made the mouth appear smaller because it was also considered beautiful to have a small mouth.
Footwear
In Japan, shoes are not worn in the house. Tabi is a type of sock where all of the toes are split. Tabi were worn inside of the house instead of shoes. These socks were woven out of non-stretch material, and had a thick sole. Shoes were worn though. A type of shoe that was worn was the clog. Clogs are called geta. They were made out of wood and had two straps. Zori were also a type of footwear that was made form softer material such as straw.
Ju-ni-hitoe
An interesting part of ancient Japanese clothing was the ju-ni-hitoe. Ju-ni-hitoe meant the twelve layers. The Ju-ni-hitoe was worn by women in the imperial court. It is a multi-layered outfit that women wore for hundreds of years every day. Princesses will still wear the ju-ni-hitoe on weddings. The only thing changed about the ju-ni-hitoe is the thickness. This depended on the season.
Commoners
Commoners wore fairly simple outfits, which usually consist of trousers, smock, an overcoat, and straw or leather sandals called ahinaka. On hot summers it was okay to work in fields with just a loin cloth, or even nude.
Samurai
A samurai’s armor was very complex, with many shields and layers to protect themselves in battle, and to intimidate their enemies. Samurai wore loose pants, outer jacket and pants, and a kimono under their metal armor. These ancient warriors wore helmets made of iron, with horns coming off to symbolize bravery. They also wore arm guards, neck plates, leg plates, and body armor all of which was made out of iron and laced together with leather and silk. On special events women wore an Uchiki robe, hakama trousers, and a kosode, a silk garment with short sleeves. Women would also wear an uchikake. An uchikake (aka kaidori) was a very long jacket. Both women and men wore a haori. A haori is a narrow paneled jacket that is worn over a kimono. The haori was only worn on special occasions such as weddings and special dinners.
Citations
Deal, William E. Handbook to Life in the Medieval and Early Modern Japan. New York: Facts On File Inc. 2006 Hoober, Dorthy and Thomas. "The Ghost in Tokaido Inn". Sleuth Puffin. 1999 JSTOR Cary Academy Library, Cary, NC. 27 Mar 2009 <http://www.jstor.org/search> Loudon, Sarah. "Intrusctial Resources: Wearble Arts of Japan Seattle Art Muesuem." Art Education. Vol 49. No 6: 25-32. Sands,l Stella ed. "Dressed for Success" Samurai. Kids Discover. Nov 2004
Japanese Dress and Appearance
By Michelle S.Miriam W.
Introduction
The Ancient Japanese style of dress was very elaborate with influence of the Chinese and Portuguese. Each social status wore all different types of sashes and kimonos. Court Nobles who were one of the top of the social structure many layers of skirts, tops, and silk kimonos with nature prints. Kimonos were widely popular in the 18th century. This was a part of Miyabi- The code for courtly manners.
Miyabi
In this code it states that at all times, court members must appear elegant and beautiful. Court members must also go barefoot, even in the winter because it was considered attractive to have bare feet. They were not permitted to use tabi- which are socks. Nail polish was often used to make the feet more attractive. For cosmetics, court nobles powdered their faces, and colored their teeth black. Lipstick was applied in a way that made the mouth appear smaller because it was also considered beautiful to have a small mouth.
Footwear
In Japan, shoes are not worn in the house. Tabi is a type of sock where all of the toes are split. Tabi were worn inside of the house instead of shoes. These socks were woven out of non-stretch material, and had a thick sole. Shoes were worn though. A type of shoe that was worn was the clog. Clogs are called geta. They were made out of wood and had two straps. Zori were also a type of footwear that was made form softer material such as straw.
Ju-ni-hitoe
An interesting part of ancient Japanese clothing was the ju-ni-hitoe. Ju-ni-hitoe meant the twelve layers. The Ju-ni-hitoe was worn by women in the imperial court. It is a multi-layered outfit that women wore for hundreds of years every day. Princesses will still wear the ju-ni-hitoe on weddings. The only thing changed about the ju-ni-hitoe is the thickness. This depended on the season.Commoners
Commoners wore fairly simple outfits, which usually consist of trousers, smock, an overcoat, and straw or leather sandals called ahinaka. On hot summers it was okay to work in fields with just a loin cloth, or even nude.Samurai
A samurai’s armor was very complex, with many shields and layers to protect themselves in battle, and to intimidate their enemies. Samurai wore loose pants, outer jacket and pants, and a kimono under their metal armor. These ancient warriors wore helmets made of iron, with horns coming off to symbolize bravery. They also wore arm guards, neck plates, leg plates, and body armor all of which was made out of iron and laced together with leather and silk. On special events women wore an Uchiki robe, hakama trousers, and a kosode, a silk garment with short sleeves. Women would also wear an uchikake. An uchikake (aka kaidori) was a very long jacket. Both women and men wore a haori. A haori is a narrow paneled jacket that is worn over a kimono. The haori was only worn on special occasions such as weddings and special dinners.
Citations
Deal, William E. Handbook to Life in the Medieval and Early Modern Japan. New York: Facts On File Inc. 2006Hoober, Dorthy and Thomas. "The Ghost in Tokaido Inn". Sleuth Puffin. 1999
JSTOR Cary Academy Library, Cary, NC. 27 Mar 2009 <http://www.jstor.org/search>
Loudon, Sarah. "Intrusctial Resources: Wearble Arts of Japan Seattle Art Muesuem." Art Education. Vol 49. No 6: 25-32.
Sands,l Stella ed. "Dressed for Success" Samurai. Kids Discover. Nov 2004